Notes and Editorial Reviews

These are intense performances. The Hagen Quartet isn’t afraid to tear into the music with the necessary passion and abandon. In the frequent “sul ponticello” episodes (First quartet, second movement, for example, or the Second quartet’s finale) they aren’t afraid to make a harsh sound, but somehow they manage never to let the playing turn gratuitously ugly. They also pace both works very well. I’m thinking particularly of the First quartet’s finale, which builds to a tremendously powerful climax. God only knows what the Wolf is doing there; these are short works and there’s nothing wrong with a coupling, even this one, but I could think of other better, more generous choices. Never mind. TheRead more quality of the music-making speaks for itself.

Customer Reviews

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